121 Don Q Gran Anejo ratings

10

Notice the title of this review doesn't say this is just the best rum, but rather the best rum for anyone who truly enjoys fine spirits. This is because Don Q Gran Anejo is NOT ridden with tremendous amounts of sugar and additives added after distillation. This seems to be what most rum heads regard as 'smoothness' and 'complexity'. Why don't you guys buy some cheap 151, raw molasses, vermouth, spices and make your own pre-batched cocktail because that's what you're really drinking (and this includes Zacapa, Zaya and even Diplomatico).

The DQ GA drinks likes a dream and shows what a real unadulterated and extremely fine aged rum should taste like. I love the nuttiness from the sherry barrels and the full dark caramel mouth feel that resembles a fine cognac. If you want a one of kind cocktail make an Old Fashioned or Manhattan out of it and enjoy the fact it's not too sweet to do so right out of the bottle.

BTW, to Luis the reviewer below, I really have no idea what you're talking about comparing this or anything of Don Q's disfavorably to Bacardi. Luckily, you're a very small minority. The only thing Bacardi has done for the industry is make people stop drinking rum after they're out of high school. Oh I guess, those poor Cubans (fyi, they really left Cuba to keep exporting to the U.S. when Fidel took power) can also be credited with pumping a whole lot of waste water into the Caribbean and confusing consumers about what really is Puerto Rican rum. And, nothing of Bacardi's even the 'Facundo' B.S. comes even close to this Gran Anejo. I hope you got paid for your ignorant review or will someday. Otherwise, I really have no idea what's wrong with you.

Nice presentation but not up to the hype it gets. I tried it, not bad, could be better. When I compare this to other rums in my bar, I take the other rums.

8

I like this rum. It needs an ice cube or two to go down smoothly. Not sure is buy it again until I try a few more "high"ish end rums. It has some bite, but you get that when you sniff the cork as well. But it sips nicely next to a fire on a chilly night, so crack open a bottle and enjoy it with friends.

This is one of the few rums that I can drink on the rocks. It is amazing how smooth - but tasteful - this rum is. I have it over Bacardi's "Reserva Selecta."

9

This gran añejo is Don Q tip of the line and I enjoy it for special ocassions. Very smooth, light with subtle vanilla, oak and caramel, I enjoy it on the rocks. There is something about Don Q Gran Añejo and Puerto Rico evenings that is magical

9

This expression of Don Q is superb. Smooth, light with subtle vainilla, caramel and oak. You could understand and appreciate what aging do to rums when comparing it from the Añejo. For me, it's a benchmark.

Well done Don Q
Posted
3 Mar '19
by
Jason
from
United States
with
53 ratings

9

There is a slight burn on the nose but you can smell some of the woodiness. You can taste the cask and some subtle sweetness. Very smooth finish with no burn. Compared to some of the other nice aged rums (Santa Teresa 1796 and Brugal 1888 to name a couple) this is a definite contender to keep on my shelves.

8

This expression of Don Q is superb. Smooth, light with subtle vanilla, caramel and oak. A true Puerto Rican rum. This is what happens when a rum is aged properly and bottled without adding any additives. Old school great Rum.

i was surprised at my own rating
Posted
4 Dec '18
by
chasles22
(PREMIUM)
from
United States
with
33 ratings

6

this rum is fine. it's just a little too much sweetness, a little too much harshness, a little short on spice and character, a little short on barrel. its tasty, but not great. if it were a $35 bottle... yessir. for $~60? there are a lot better choices.

6

Never judge a book by it's cover. That saying also goes the same for things that look beautiful. For sure this is one of the best LOOKING rums on the shelf at the store. The hollow stopper even has the old "flip and fill" thing that 1800 used to have. However, I was disappointed with what was inside. I was much more impressed by Cruzan Single Barrel and that bottle is SUPER LAME. This isn't a terrible rum, but at this level and from the presentation I

Fancy bottle doesn't take away the fact that contents are low quality
Posted
22 Aug '17
by
Joola69
from
United States
with
2331 ratings

5

Bought a bottle of Don Q Gran Anejo earlier this year when vacationing in Puerto Rico. Bottle sits in a very nice cradle and the bottle itself is very presentable. Unfortunately the contents are very disappointing. Strong smell, even stronger burn and no quality on this rum at all.

Not "Grand Anejo" quality
Posted
27 Apr '16
by
Russ
from
United States
with
85 ratings

6

It's a good rum, but that's the problem. A Grand Anejo should offer something a little more.

Pretty good stuff
Posted
23 Mar '16
by
Brad
from
United States
with
25 ratings

8

Another one that I tried at Don Q's tasting room and store in San Juan. I liked this one better. Fantastic aroma and nice smooth flavor; very bourbon like to me which is not a bad thing! I would recommend it for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in top shelf mixed drinks.

Very clean aged rum, without lots of extra sugar. Hints of molasses, bourbon, and cinnamon heat make this a great rum to experience neat.

7

I purchased a bottle of this rum at a military PX on Puerto Rico for about $35, a much friendlier cost compared to the $70 it costs in the States. The bouquet is pleasant thought I found the flavor profile did not match up as it was not particularly great. Good, but not great.

7

i rate this as not in my top 5. the bottle looks good on the shelf, but it is just no better than 7. my opinion.

Major disappointment for the price
Posted
9 Dec '15
by
Beukeboom
from
United States
with
305 ratings

6

For over $50 a bottle I expected something better than what was in the bottle (a very nice bottle incidentally -- worth saving and reusing after scraping the lettering off -- BTW, make sure you have it on a sturdy flat surface because the artificial cork they use has a tight...and I mean TIGHT...fit). A rather dry Puerto Rican rum with very strong oak flavor...more akin to a bourbon than a rum IMHO. Not necessarily a bad thing if you also like bourbon...I do not. Some will probably like this as a sipping rum but for it's too harsh for sipping and needs to be mixed or added to Coke Zero. [NOTE: Just added 3oz to a 16.9oz bottle of Coke Zero -- definitely an improvement.]

Hmmmm.... torn about this one
Posted
21 Sep '15
by
Max
from
United States
with
10 ratings

7

I like a rum that I can sip... this one is moody... Half the time I think it's good, the other half I can't help it but to dump coke on it.
I'd rather have two bottles of diplomatico for the price of one of these!

6

This isn't a bad rum but it's far from great. The bottle may be it's most distinctive feature. Notice there isn't a single review focusing on taste and aroma? That's because this disappointing rum has no distinctive flavor. I can't identify a characteristic. It's reasonably smooth but yet has an after burn that you'll notice at first. This isn't bad. It's just not great. I can think of 10 rums I'd rather drink but at least 10 that are far worse.